Fiat previews all-electric 500e ahead of L.A. Auto Show

The all-electric Fiat 500e will be one of three new versions of the 500 that Fiat is bringing to the L.A. Auto Show.

The all-electric Fiat 500e will be one of three new versions of the 500 that Fiat is bringing to the L.A. Auto Show. (Fiat)

David Undercoffler

Fiat will use the Los Angeles Auto Show to add three new versions of the diminutive 500. On Friday we got a first look at one of them.

Following the green trend that is common for automakers at the L.A. show, Fiat will be bringing an all-electric version of its sub-compact, dubbed the 500e.

Details on the car won't be available for another week, but it's clear from the photos that it will have push-button automatic (or perhaps a CVT) transmission not found on other 500s, as well as various exterior changes like a new front bumper and wheel design.

Fiat says the car will be available in California in 2013. No word on how many will be made, or whether they'll be sold outright to consumers or leased only. The car will count among its competitors other small, urban-oriented all-electric vehicles like the Mini Cooper EV, Honda Fit EV, Mitsubishi i, and the Chevrolet Spark EV, which is also debuting at the L.A. Auto Show.

This is one of three Fiat 500 models headed to the L.A. show. The others are the larger, four-door 500L and the open-topped convertible variant of the 500 Abarth we drove earlier this year.

The L.A. Auto Show will be open to the public from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9. We'll be covering the press days live from the show floor on Nov. 28 and 29.